Letter From The Founder
I am delighted to welcome you to the re-birth of the Sage Street Mill! Here you can learn about the new spaces that we have developed, as well as new programs, partnerships, and initiatives that we are offering.
We are a place dedicated to sustainability and community development, so if you are looking for a space or a home (for you or your practice or your green business) please contact us! f you are just starting and would like to have training, mentoring, and practice in the areas of arts and community development, grant writing, permaculture, gallery and arts administration and management, partnerships, consider taking a workshop or joining our Generator Training Program.
Throughout the years, this place has served as a living example of the power of arts for rural regeneration, historic preservation, and the environment.
I love it here, and I am fully committed to growing the next generation of cultural programs advancing sustainability, wellness, arts, prosperity, and health in the Village of North Bennington, while also continuing the epic work of preserving this beautiful place!
My hope is that our individual and collective work here at the mill can serve as an example of the power of regeneration and that through our ongoing work and care, we are also connected to others (here and around the globe) who are committed to generating joy, peace, prosperity, and wellness through care of the self, care of the planet …
Together, we are evolving and raising the collective global consciousness with our positive local action, one breath at a time, one kind thought, one kind word, one kind deed, one courageous step at a time.
Welcome to this special place!
Love and Peace from
Patricia Pedreira
Founder, Director, Sage Street Mill Project
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Meet The Team
Patricia Pedreira M.A.
Founder, Director, Sage Street Mill Project
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For over 25 years, Patricia has served as an arts and community development leader, working with individuals and organizations to improve their neighborhoods, and the health of themselves, their families and communities.
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Her work and projects have been recognized with awards and grants from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Preservation Trust of Vermont, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and Jane’s Trust, and she has served on the Board of the Vermont Arts Council (VAC) and the Bennington Area Arts Council (BAAC), as well as on panels for the Massachusetts Cultural Council(MCC) and National Endowment for The Arts (NEA).
“I am an arts developer, designer, art therapist and backyard chicken farmer of Irish and Brazilian descent. I love: Mother nature, Diversity, the moon, sustainable development, astrology, alternative healing and holistic health, creative movement, yoga, meditation, different states of consciousness, as well as finance, historic preservation and bricks. I am an instigator, trouble maker, and joy generator.Women’s empowerment, my feminine power, sacred sexuality, tarot, plant medicine, food, art, travel and music connects me to my cultural roots, and community.”
Melinda Paquin
Management assistant to the Director
Melinda Paquin has joined the Sage Street Mill team!
Melinda was a camper here in 1993 when we first started our arts programming! Now she is a local parent who brings her own children to the mill for arts and wellness camps and special events! Welcome, Melinda!
Yasmine Fundi
Creative Assistant
Summer Arts & Wellness Camp Counselor
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Hi!, I'm Yasmine, a Congolese student pursuing a double concentration in Biology and Dance at Bennington College. With a passion for somatic dances and their relation to overall wellbeing, I was always fascinated to merge my interests in science/physiology and movement to promote holistic health practices. I'm beyond grateful to witness the beauty of this town and its people. By getting the opportunity to work with Sage Street Mill, I'm excited to apply my knowledge and skills to help foster a safe and supportive environment for young people. This environment could provide a space for children to explore their creativity and improve their emotional wellbeing through the arts.
Liah Roy
Program Assistant
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Hello! My name is Liah Roy, I have been a North Bennington resident my entire life and used to be a camp member when I was younger! I am currently an attending student at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, studying as a second-year studio art major and minoring in art history. I love to turn anything into artwork and specialize in oil paint and ceramics. One of my favorite activities is walking around the mile-round woods at Park Mccullough and building fairy houses along the trails. I am so excited to meet everyone and am grateful to be part of the Sage Street Mill team!
Chris Zubryd
Studio, Media /Digital Arts Program assistant
Hello! My Name is Chris but everyone calls me Zube. My first job was working in the Mill when I was 14 years old. I have a degree from Bennington College in Film/Film Theory, Architecture & Architecture Theory. I'm thrilled to be back!
Kathy Velon
Creative Assistant/Art Teacher
Mixed media skills gained over the years is my thing. I believe in the creative process is the magic of making arts. I love being inspired by other artists of all ages. Hue is my favorite art element I use often in my works.
RIT alumni ‘78, BFAA in Communication Design and BU alumni ‘96, MEd in Deaf Education. My second language is ASL. In the past, I have had taught art in summer camps and with the preK-12 deaf and hard of hearing students. I am a part-time art instructor of the River Gallery School’s Ability Art Program in Brattleboro VT. My art works can be seen at Pangaea’s and McCullough’s Library in the village this summer ’23.
This summer at the Sage Street Mill is to have fun and explore in the most creative ways. Enjoy!
Maxwell
Creative Assistant
Summer Arts & Wellness Camp Counselor
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I've spent my whole life here at the mill. I love nature, arts, and insects, and I love sharing my knowledge with people around me. I work as an assistant art teacher at the local VSNB elementary school, and I have also been a counselor for last year's awesome Wellness Camp, as well as for many VAE summer camps. I am starting college at Mass College of Arts and Design in the fall of 2021, and I'm really excited to be working here!
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“I am really looking forward to exploring and showing the different trails and areas on the property and having a blast finding crayfish and dragonflies and making natural sculptures in the creek with the kids!”
Desire Chimanikire
Program Management Assistant and Lead Facilitator/Mentor
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Hi! My name is Desire, and I am an eighth term senior at Bennington College. I am originally from Zimbabwe, and I came to the United States for my college education in 2019. My practice revolves around Architecture and Visual Arts and and how these two practices can be used as tools to enact social change. I am in love with the town of Bennington, and i am excited to work with community members in furthering the vision of the Sage Street Mill!
Sadie
Mija
Office Support
Mission of The Mill at Sage Street
To preserve and develop the historic Sage Street Mill property with love, creativity, and care, as an arts, wellness, and joy generator
To generate and teach sustainable living, community development, and whole health practices that raise consciousness.
Our programs integrate healing arts, celebrate wellness and nature. We promote joy and creativity through music and arts, environmental awareness, recycling, green design, historic preservation, social entrepreneurship, permaculture, organic farming, and food.
We celebrate diversity through cultural events that include music, arts, dance, and food from different cultures.
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Vision and Values
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A healthy planet, connected by loving and caring people.
We generate health, wellness, joy and prosperity through programs and practices that cultivate and celebrate creativity, kindness, peace and sustainable development.
We are inclusive and celebrate diversity with people, food and music from around the world.
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